Pearl Harbor service scheduled

MOUNT CARMEL - Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee will conduct a Pearl Harbor remembrance service at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, at Second and Oak streets.

In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2110, 21 W. Second St.

Area veterans and the public are invited to attend.

Changing of the Colors ceremony

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Joint Veterans Committee will hold its Changing of the Colors flag ceremony at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Second and Oak streets.

The flag will be raised in honor and memory of Leonard Sahonick, who served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

DANVILLE - The annual service of "Sharing the Gift of Christ's Love" sponsored by the Lutheran-Anglican-Roman Catholic (LARC) group will be held at 2 p.m. today, the First Sunday in Advent, at the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius, Maria Hall, in Danville.

The service will be a combination of the four lessons from Advent, prayers, the Gospel and several inspirational hymns, including "Silent Night" sung in German, Slovak and English. The organist will be Dennis Bobber, of Elysburg.

The Rev. Frederic Stevenson, of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Shamokin, will present the homily. Clergy and lay members will participate in the service. There will be a time of fellowship and refreshments after the service.

During the service, participating church members will present their gifts for 100 children throughout the area. Parents with three or more children in the family filled out a form for each child in their family (ages 12 and under). A gift tag was completed for each child with their first name, age, sex, size and any type of clothing they may particularly need. The tags were numbered and anywhere from five to 15 tags were distributed to the following congregations:

Grace Lutheran, Holy Trinity Episcopal and Mother Cabrini in Shamokin, St. Paul in Gowen City, St. Mark and St. John in Elysburg, Our Lady of Hope in Coal Township, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Mount Carmel, Holy Angels in Kulpmont and the sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius.

The people of the churches take a tag and purchase clothing, outerwear and usually an age appropriate toy, game, book or puzzle for the child they choose. The gifts are wrapped and returned to their church and then brought to the chapel in Maria Hall the day of the service.

SHAMOKIN - The owner of The Game Shack is pleased that Small Business Saturday brought attention to the downtown area.

"I've always lived in a small town and everybody says to shop locally, but nobody ever does anything," Kyle Lahr said behind the counter of his store at 119 E. Independence St. "This is the first I've seen where anyone is doing anything about it."

Last year, sales on Small Business Saturday nationwide generated around $5.5 billion in revenue. The observance was conceived by American Express four years ago.

The Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce reported 20 city businesses joined the effort this year in recognition of the national effort to bring smaller businesses into the holiday shopping mix on the heels of Black Friday.

By 12:30 p.m., Lahr said business was slow with only five customers, but he suspects the majority of people were recovering from Black Friday shopping at larger retail stores, which he calls "terrible, but terribly convenient."

He's willing to participate in "anything to get the word out" about downtown businesses, he said.

Lahr buys, sells and trades new, used and especially retro video games and gaming systems. He has a wide selection of games, controllers and accessories for the Nintendo Entertainment System, SuperNintendo, Nintendo 64, Gamecube, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS and 3DS, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360, Playstations 1, 2 and 3, Sega Genesis, Sega Saturn, Sega Dreamcast, Atari as well as the systems themselves.

Everything in the store Saturday was 10 percent off, and customers were able to buy three retro games and get one free. All December, customers get an extra 10 percent for trade-in credit.

Over at The WhatNot Shoppe Café at 139 E. Independence St., owner Cindy Carpenter was selling all-you-can-eat Belgian waffles for $6, a Buy One Get One (BOGO) for wafflewiches (waffle sandwiches) for $3 and any small latte or cappuccino for $2.

"It's been a nice day, but it could be better. As long as people are coming in our door happy," Carpenter said, noting more than 60 customers came through the doors between 7:30 a.m. and noon.

She said Small Business Saturday was a "grand idea" that needs more awareness and creativity to drive people into the downtown area.

WhatNot Shoppe customer Carole Hedges, of Coal Township, who was sitting in the store shortly at 12:30 p.m., said the event and area is new to her, but she planned to walk around the downtown to shop.

"It's my town. I'll do anything that brings business," she said.

At Jones Ace Hardware at 115 E. Independence St., employees Joe Leaveck and Sam Fetterman said they sold plenty of appliances, heaters, salt and coal Friday and Saturday.

Leaveck said having a day to focus on small businesses drives people into town and Fetterman said it allows for those who had to work Friday to shop locally Saturday.

In a news releaseThursday, Whitney Fetterman, chamber director, said Small Business Saturday was created with the goal of shopping small.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy and typically give back to their communities. We are honored to be able to support and promote our small businesses," she said.

Participants, which offered specials or other promotions as part of the event, also included Harry's Grill, Central Penn Physical Therapy, Bader's Furniture, AREA Services, First National Bank, H&R Block, Maurer's Dairy, Rob's Good Time Grill, M&T Bank, The Fun Shop, Beverly's Flowers, Ye Olde Coin Shoppe, The News-Item, Susquehanna Bank, Original Italian Pizza, Shuey Jeweler's, The Center for Movement Arts and Herb's Mobile Repair Services LLC.

SHAMOKIN - More than 50 years after it first began, "Letters to Santa" lives yet again for Christmas 2013.

Retired radio personality Tom Kutza continues his special arrangement with Santa Claus to produce the lower anthracite region tradition, which was born on WISL Radio in 1961 and continues today at www.newsitem.com.

Letters to Santa went silent along with WISL in the late 1990s, but was revived by The News-Item in 2003.

"To me, it will always be a Christmas miracle," Kutza said about the newspaper's use of the Internet to bring back Letters to Santa. "I get comments and emails from kids of all ages telling me how much they love hearing the shows."

The first of 23 daily shows, which Kutza produces from his home in Elysburg, airs today. Santa reads letters submitted by children mixed with Christmas music and sentiments. Weekend shows feature music and other special programming.

A list of which children's letters are being read that day is published as part of a Christmas countdown graphic on the front page of the newspaper.

Kutza's radio career has also been revived through the creation a few years ago of WISL1480.com, which airs music from the 1950s, '60s and early '70s. Kutza credits the efforts and expertise of brothers Frank, James and John Treese in creating the Internet radio website, for which he produces a weekly polka show that airs from noon to 2 p.m. Sundays. The Treeses are also helping produce Letters to Santa.

Meanwhile, Santa spends the off-season preparing for his show by studying the latest technologies and toys that several hundred kids ask for through their letters each year.

"Santa is ready, and he can't wait to hear from the children," Kutza said.

Daily shows continue through Dec. 24. Letters must be emailed by Dec. 13 to santa@newsitem.com.

Editor's note: Monday Profiles are published on the first Monday of each month.

SHAMOKIN - Aaron Kalinowski is determined to provide hope and awareness to children with disabilities and stop the discrimination against people like them.

The 18-year-old Shamokin resident, who was born with cerebral palsy and Asperger Syndrome, runs and maintains two Facebook pages with a little assistance from his mother Carol: My Miracle, Living with Cerebral Palsy and Asperger Syndrome; and Stop Discrimination against Special Needs Kids.

"You can't just judge somebody really quickly. You have to spend time with that person and get to know them and you can make each other's lives better," he said Saturday at his city home where he lives with his parents Carol and Tony.

On these Facebook pages, Kalinowski and Carol share articles or pictures to encourage or inform their followers about his and others' predicament.

A miracle

Although he turned 18 years old last Wednesday, Aaron Kalinowski wasn't expected to survive when he was born 3 1/2 months premature at 12 inches long and just under 2 pounds. If he did survive, he was expected to be a vegetable. He had brain damage, level three on one side of his brain - the highest, level four, on the other. His vital organs were so underdeveloped that his lungs were torn and scarred from breathing air too early. He underwent surgery on just the second day of his life to close a heart valve to stop his lungs from filling with blood - the first of at least eight surgeries for various ailments.

He is a miracle, his parents say.

Now, Kalinowski spends his time making YouTube videos of his gaming sessions, telling "yo mama" jokes and also helps his mother with her volunteer work with rescue dogs that assist people with disabilities.

And he was getting ready Saturday night for his first date with a girl named Erin - they'll be eating pizza and ice cream and watching a movie together.

"Like every other mother, I just want to put his diapers back on and stick him in the crib," Carol Kalinowski said.

He can walk short distances, but he uses a scooter to go further. He's always accompanied by his parents, but they have been discussing allowing him to be on his own since he turned 18.

"It's a hassle," Kalinowski joked about having his parents around all the time.

Graduating in 2015, the teen wants to pursue a computer programing degree and eventually work in video game development, which has been his "thing since day one," he said.

"Just because you have a disability doesn't mean you can't accomplish your goals," Aaron Kalinowski said.

His mother Carol calls him an inspiration.

"He wasn't supposed to walk. He wasn't supposed to talk. He wasn't supposed to anything," she said.

Now, Tony Kalinowski adds with a smile, "He doesn't shut up."

The younger Kalinowski fired back just as quick and said, "Hey! How dare you!"

Bio Box

Name: Aaron Kalinowski

Age: 18

Likes: The Annoying Orange YouTube series, Jeff Dunham, civics and politics.

Pets: Cinder, 6 1/2-year-old Boxer; Sophie, 4-year-old Boxer; Emmie, 2-year-old Boxer; Norman, 7-month-old Chinese crested dog.

Websites: https://www.facebook.com/stopdiscriminationagainstspecialneedskids and https://www.facebook.com/cerebralpalsyandme/info

The following landlord/tenant claims and judgments were filed in magisterial district court:

Hugh A. Jones, Mount Carmel

Joseph Meneghin, of Toms River, N.J., awarded $1,531.15 Nov. 27 from David Andrews and Connie Jane Andrews, both of Atlas, for unpaid rent and court costs

John Gembic III, Shamokin

John Simeone, of Sunbury, awarded $194.15 Nov. 25, from Maria Hill and Ryan Kirchman, both of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

General Rentals, Inc., of Shamokin, awarded $598.65 on Nov. 26, from Amy Gearhart, of Shamokin, for unpaid rent and court costs.

Robert Rowe Jr., of Coal Township, against Joshua Rowe, of Coal Township, dismissed Nov. 25 without prejudice.

She might have been 97 years old, but Gertrude Price was still very active and independent, living alone at 23 E. Grand St. in Nanticoke. She cleaned, cooked, and shoveled snow all by herself, often refusing help from family and friends.

"You couldn't stop her," Price's granddaughter, Debbie Piper, 56, of Newport Township, recalled Saturday.

Price was the matriarch of five generations of a close-knit family, with eight great-great-grandchildren in the family tree. Family members gathered Thursday for Thanksgiving dinner at a relative's home in Dallas, then Piper dropped Price off at her home in the evening.

Soon, the holiday would turn horrific. An intruder beat Price to death in what investigators are calling a random home invasion robbery.

Price died from "blunt head trauma," Luzerne County Coroner Bill Lisman said Saturday following an autopsy by forensic pathologist Dr. Gary Ross. Her death, Lisman said, is a homicide.

Piper said Price's loved ones can't understand who could do such a thing to the widowed seamstress who has been retired for decades.

"There was a break-in and she was attacked," Piper said. "We have no idea who it was. She had no enemies. None."

Police guarded Price's home overnight to protect the crime scene. Investigators from state and Nanticoke police returned Saturday morning to continue to collect evidence.

Family members found Price dead inside her home just before 10 a.m. Friday, about 12 hours after they last knew she was alive. Investigators believe the killing occurred around 11 p.m. Thanksgiving night - because lights were on in the house at a time she would be sleeping.

It appears the killer entered the house through a basement window that had been broken out, police said.

Unlike many other killings recently, police said this one is different: it appears to be a random attack.

"I know a lot times we say there is no cause for concern because it doesn't look random," Trooper Martin Connors said at a press conference at the scene Friday. "This, unfortunately, is exactly the opposite of that. It looks as if this poor lady, 97 years old, lived her whole life and has to leave this world this way."

Piper said her grandmother was still very active. Price's daughter, Carol Belmont, of Jackson Township, brought Price to Wilkes-Barre every Friday to meet Piper for lunch. On Sundays, Piper would take Price to church in Bloomsburg, then go grocery shopping and grab lunch.

Up until a few years ago, Price took the bus by herself every day to Wilkes-Barre to go to the Boscov's department store, Piper said. That's around the same time she stopped cutting the grass in her large yard with a bulky push mower. She has finally allowed a neighbor to cut her grass, she said.

"She was extremely independent," Piper said.

Price leaves behind a daughter, three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren, Piper said.

"We loved her and we'll miss her a lot," said Piper, who is now a grandmother herself. "For 12 years, I had five generations. I was blessed."

No arrests have been made in Price's death and police have not identified any suspects.

Lt. Richard Krawetz, commander of the crime unit at state police at Wyoming, said police are aggressively investigating and soliciting any leads from people with information.

"It's being looked into as aggressively as any homicide we investigate. This one has a little different twist because it's a defenseless 97-year-old woman," Krawetz said Saturday. "Obviously, people are outraged. We're appealing for the public's assistance in solving this heinous crime."

Anyone with information - especially anyone who saw something between 10 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. Friday - is asked to call state police at Wyoming at 570-697-2000.

MONTOURSVILLE - Route 2021 (Gap Road/Marshall Street) in East Cameron and Mount Carmel townships will be posted with a permanent, year-round 10-ton weight restriction along its entire length from the Schuylkill County line to Route 54 at Locust Gap, according to PennDOT.

The posting is being made on the basis of a traffic-and-engineering study indicating the highway may be damaged by the use of vehicles that weigh more than 10 tons.

School buses and local-delivery trucks are exempt.

The posting will take effect as soon as the required signs are placed on or after Dec. 6.

SUNBURY - As deadlines for approval near, Northumberland County commissioners will try for the third time to pass a tentative budget for 2014 at their meeting today.

Past sticking points among the commissioners have now become issues within the budget process, and two prior attempts at OK'ing a tentative spending plan of $72.7 million have failed.

Commissioner Chairman Vinny Clausi supports the budget, but has refused to vote in favor because of Richard Shoch's opposition. Clausi said until Shoch brings his own budget proposal to the table, he'll vote no to prove a point, even at the risk of shutting down the government if a budget isn't OK'd by the new year.

Clausi said he returned Sunday from out-of-town work for his construction company and that he would be at today's meeting. But he wouldn't commit as to whether he'd vote to approve the budget.

"As it stands right now, no," he said Monday. "Mr. Shoch has to explain to me first why he didn't come up with his own budget."

Noting, however, the impact a shutdown would have on children and senior citizens and the county's bond rating, Clausi added, "I'm not sure what I'm going to do. There are a lot of things to worry about."

Clausi, who again said Shoch hasn't contributed anything to county government in his two years as commissioner, said the budget was produced by budget director Jeff McClintock, and he trusts his work.

Clausi also cites the effort that went into developing a five-year plan that will keep the county in the black during a difficult time of rising health care insurance and pension costs.

Bridy has been critical of both of his colleagues, more so Shoch, and said citizens expect elected officials to compromise.

As for Shoch, he wonders why Clausi and Bridy suddenly covet his vote.

"They should have the courage to own it (the budget) and should not be seeking participation in its approval from me, a person whose approval and vote they showed no interest in until now," he said.

Commissioners must approve the spending plan, which is slightly less than last year's, at today's 1 p.m. meeting or conduct a special session no later than Dec. 11. That way the budget can be properly advertised and made available for public inspection for 20 days in compliance with county code in time for a final OK by Dec. 31.

Bridy voted to pass the budget at meetings on Nov. 7 and 19. Clausi was not at the second meeting.

Run for judge?

Clausi also accuses Shoch of political posturing with the budget in anticipation of a run for county judge. President Judge Robert B. Sacavage announced recently he plans to retire at the start of the new year.

Shoch, an attorney, said he was asked about running for judge on WKOK radio's "On the Mark" show Nov. 19.

"As I stated on that broadcast, some people have encouraged me to run," he said. "However, I believe we are finally turning the corner on beginning the culture change that is so desperately needed in Northumberland County government and my focus needs to remain on shedding light on the commissioners' office so that people of this county have the information they need to bring true change to the county in 2015."

He said he believes someone can make a "huge difference for the county as a member of its judiciary," and that it's a role that may hold appeal at some time. But, "that time is not now," he said.

Shoch said the only point Clausi is making with his no vote is that he makes his decisions "based on his irrational need to feed his own ego, regardless of the impact on the county, its employees or its citizens."

Shoch said salary cuts of 42 to 48 percent for row officers, which he objected to in the initial proposed budget, have been removed from the latest version due to a court-issued injunction at least temporarily stopping the cuts. But he said it remains to be seen how much money will need to be budgeted for additional legal fees to fight the injunction.

911 upgrades

As for another financial matter, upgrades to the 911 system, Shoch claims a review of the original bid compared to the final contract and statements made at public meetings support his contention that Bridy and Clausi approved a contract for the system that includes an additional tower in the northern tier of the county that is not necessary if the county continues to contract with Union County to provide 911 service to that area. He claimed the tower will cost between $400,000 and $500,000.

"This cost is now embedded in the payments that we must now make on the bond that they approved and I voted against," he said. "We can continue to have Union County provide this service for a fraction of what it would cost us to provide staff for the additional tower."

Clausi doesn't argue that the costs are included in the contract. But he said the consultant, Mission Critical Partners Inc., said the seventh tower is needed to make the system as a whole work properly. Also, if Union County cuts its costs in half to $100,000 to provide 911 service as has been suggested, the county could still make up the cost of a $500,000 seventh tower in a matter of five years, Clausi said.

SUNBURY - A guilty plea proceeding for a Coal Township man charged with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl in July was continued Monday afternoon to allow his attorney more time to obtain discovery evidence in the case from the district attorney's office.

The case involving Kevin C. Glazik, 35, of 510 N. First St., was continued until 1:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, by Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest.

County public defender Melissa Norton requested the continuance, which was not opposed by First Assistant District Attorney Ann Targonski. Norton said she has been waiting for the commonwealth to provide her with discovery evidence in the case since October.

Glazik is charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan with felonies of aggravated indecent assault and unlawful contact with a minor and a misdemeanor of indecent assault. Police said Glazik allegedly inappropriately touched an 8-year-old girl at his residence July 27.

At his arraignment before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III of Shamokin, Glazik admitted to committing the crimes and apologized for his actions.

The defendant was released Oct. 1 from Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury on unsecured supervised bail granted by Gembic. He had previously been incarcerated in lieu of $75,000 cash bail since his arrest Sept. 10 and was instructed by Gembic to avoid contact with the victim and all minors without supervision and to enroll in a counseling group.

SUNBURY - Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor ruled last week that he doesn't have the authority to direct Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau to remove a tax lien of $14,736.31 on Madison Court Apartments or remove the property owned by Shamokin Housing Authority from future tax sales.

In his Nov. 26 two-page order, Saylor said, "In the ordinary case, property tax liens are accorded non-dischargeable status, that is, a bankruptcy proceeding and order would have no effect on the ability of municipalities to recover taxes due and owing from the debtor's estate by virtue of a lien on any realty. Property tax liens must be specifically discharged by a bankruptcy court. The bankruptcy court's order relates to general creditors of the bankruptcy estate and does not express any specific intention to discharge the property tax lien at issue."

Saylor issued the order after hearing brief arguments in the case Nov. 6 from tax claims bureau solicitor Vincent V. Rovito Jr. and housing authority counsel Frank E. Garrigan.

Rovito said he was pleased with the judge's ruling. The attorney said the housing authority can appeal Saylor's ruling within 30 days to the state Superior Court.

Legal battles

The housing authority filed a civil complaint May 10 against the Northumberland County Tax Claims Bureau and its director, Jan Nestico, to remove a property tax lien of $14,736.31, as of April 2013, on the apartment building at 614 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin, and to prevent the bureau from listing the property in future tax sale advertisements.

Between 2009 and 2012, the city's housing authority was locked in legal battles with Red Gold Enterprises Inc., and company president Eugene Picarella over a $1 million mortgage on the then-Center City Apartments. The authority accepted the mortgage in 2009 from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) after Northumberland County Court dismissed with prejudice a previous foreclosure action filed by the PHFA when Red Gold failed to pay on the mortgage for approximately 11 years.

After Saylor agreed with the authority's motion that the mortgages were still valid, Red Gold appealed the ruling in higher courts, all the way to the state Supreme Court, and each affirmed Saylor's decision. With no more appeals left, the company filed for bankruptcy in September.

On Dec. 10, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge John J. Thomas ordered Center City Apartments, its petty cash account and funds from the rents the housing authority collected from tenants and kept in escrow, be transferred to the authority with a deed in lieu of foreclosure. The transfer of property took place Dec. 30 and Shamokin Housing Authority has renamed the property Madison Court Apartments and has managed it since.

According to the civil complaint, the tax claims bureau sent a bill for $14,736.31 certified mail to the authority in April. Rovito said the bill was for unpaid property taxes for a portion of 2010, and all of 2011 and 2012.

That period matches the time frame of disputed ownership.

Rovito said the authority gives the tax claims bureau a payment in lieu of taxes yearly, and the property fell into that category when Shamokin Housing Authority took it over in 2013.

Garrigan previously said since the taxes, liens, claims and any encumbrances were discharged by the bankruptcy court at the sale, the judge should give full faith and credit to the bankruptcy court order.

Could be sold

According to the tax notice, if payment is not made or legal steps are not taken to challenge the claim, the property will be sold without consent. It was the same fate that almost happened with Center City in 2009, but a last-minute $74,000 payment from Red Gold for taxes from 2004 to 2008 was made on the eve of Northumberland County's first judicial tax sale.

The housing authority and tax claims bureau were at odds over the matter, since authority executive director Ronald Miller felt the payment was made too late, after the property had already been put up for tax sale previously, with no bidders.

Wording on the current claim states, "If you pay this claim after July 1, 2014, but before the actual sale, the property will not be sold, but will be listed on advertisements for such sale."

Authority officials claim the authority does not owe the money because one of Thomas' conditions states, "the (bankruptcy) trustee, the debtor and the debtor's creditors shall have no further liens, encumbrances, claims or interest against the property being transferred following the closing."

The authority claims the tax claims bureau was listed as a creditor in Red Gold's bankruptcy proceedings and received a copy of the trustees' motion for the private sale of the property "for leave to give a deed in lieu of foreclosure," and a notice that any objections to the sale had to be filed by Dec. 6. No objection was filed, they say.

COAL TOWNSHIP - VNA Health System Crossings Hospice hosted a memorial service to honor past hospice patients who have entered into eternal rest.

More than 50 family members and friends gathered with VNA Health System (VNAHS) staff members at the Mountainside Assembly of God Church to honor 140 individuals during the Remembrance of Love ceremony.

Linda Gula, director of hospice, welcomed attendees. The Rev. Glen Keidel, hospice chaplain, presented a spiritual message for family and friends, which provided inspiration and insight for living life fully.

Accompanied by James White, community liaison, on the piano, the congregation joined the staff in singing hymns and the candle lighting service. Gula and hospice nurses Charlene Shuder and Carla Young took turns reading aloud the names of former hospice patients as family members came forward to light a candle in their memory and were also gifted with a rose. A special part of the ceremony is a video presentation that features family photos and inspirational messages for all to share.

Staff members also dedicated poems and shared experiences and fond memories.

SHAMOKIN - County residents will see discounts of nearly 30 percent under a proposed fee schedule for the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA).

At a workshop meeting Monday evening, the AOAA Authority discussed a proposed rate card presented by chairman Jim Backes.

"We are cheaper than some parks, and more expensive than others, but we hope that we have some fair pricing here," Backes said.

The rate card provides for yearly passes and for one-, two- and three-day visits and allows for children's rates that would apply to anyone 18 and under when accompanied by a paying adult.

A discounted rate was given to Northumberland County residents on nearly all of the categories, except daily passenger rates and child rates on non-yearly passes.

"The thinking all along from all the authority members is that since we are not paying a lease on the county property, the county residents should get a discount," Backes said

The proposed rates are as follows:

Yearly pass - Full size Jeep or truck, $100 for residents, $140 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycle, $70 for residents, $100 non-residents; first child, $40 for residents, $50 non-residents; each additional child, $20 for residents, $25 non-residents; passenger, $25 for residents, $30 non-residents.

One-day pass - Full-size vehicle, $20 for residents, $25 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycles, $15 for residents, $20 non-residents; passengers and children, $10.

Two-day pass - Full-size vehicle, $30 for residents, $40 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycles, $23 for residents, $30 non-residents; children, $15.

Three-day pass - Full-size vehicle, $40 for residents, $50 non-residents; ATV/UTV/motorcycles, $30 for residents, $40 non-residents; children, $15.

All two- and three-day passes must be on consecutive days.

After receiving input from riders, Backes said he wanted to make it cheaper for larger families to come out.

"That will certainly help promote riding at the AOAA as a family-friendly activity," Backes said.

Based on the rates, a family of four county residents who ride ATVs would pay $200 for a yearly pass.

A family of four that doesn't live in the county would pay $275, a rate approximately 28 percent higher.

Backes said the original master plan set yearly passes at $80 per person regardless of residency, so the fee schedule discussed Monday is comparable.

The rate card is scheduled to be voted on at the Dec. 16 meeting, but everyone seemed to be in agreement, except member Barry Yorwarth.

"I think it is too cheap, but if you all think it will work, I'll agree with it. If the math said it will work to keep this place afloat, more power to it," Yorwath said.

Passes for 2014 will be good for a proposed opening of mid-April to May until November.

Other discussions conducted at the meeting will be presented in a future News-Item story.

Shamokin-Coal Township

Tuesday - Morning cards and board games, 8:30 a.m.; walk a mile, 9:30 a.m.; shopping at Lycoming Mall, cost is $2; bridge, noon.

Wednesday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; bridge lessons, 9:30 a.m.; Wii bowling, 10 a.m.; speaker from Family Medical on "Chronic Disease Program," noon; pinochle and Pokeno, 12:30 p.m.

Thursday - Morning cards and puzzles, 8:30 a.m.; Walk a mile with Amy Zalar, 9:30 a.m.; lunch prepared by NCCTC students, 11:30 a.m.; speaker from Family Medical on "Chronic Disease Program," noon; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Friday - Morning cards and board games, 8:30 a.m.; yoga, 9:30 a.m.; nickel bingo, noon.

Saturday - Cards, 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

If anyone is interested in learning to use a computer, let the center manager know. An attempt is being made to get students from Shamokin Area to come in and give lessons.

Mount Carmel

Tuesday - Morning coffee and the news, 9:30 a.m.; favorite TV show, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.; Unlucky 7s, 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Executive meeting, 9 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; members meeting with bingo to follow, 1 p.m.

Thursday - Morning coffee and the news, 9:30 a.m.; favorite game show, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; pinochle, 12:15 p.m.

Friday - Chit Chat, 10 a.m.; exercise/games, 10:30 a.m.; crossword puzzle, 11 a.m.; lunch, 11:45 a.m.; Pokeno, 1 p.m.

Kulpmont

Tuesday - Wii, knitting, find a word and jigsaw puzzles in the morning; cards and Wii bowling, noon.

Wednesday - Wii, knitting, find a word puzzles and bean bag in the morning; LCR, 12:30 p.m.; Jim White from VNA speaking on changes with your life and dealing with the holidays alone, 2 p.m.

Thursday - Wii competition between members, 10 a.m.; walk the hall after lunch; members meeting with bingo to follow, 12:30 p.m.; pinochle, 4 p.m.

Friday - Wii, knitting, puzzles and bean bag in the morning; Ellen Popson from LIFE Geisinger speaking, on "Depression in Older Adults," noon; nickel bingo, 12:30 p.m.

Centralia-Wilburton

Tuesday - Chair exercise with Carol Burton; bell practice

Wednesday - Advisory board meeting.

Thursday - Decking the halls.

Friday - Center closed.

Elysburg

Wednesday - Healthy Steps, 8:30 a.m.; Wii fitness, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.; bingo, noon.

Friday - Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; members meeting, noon with "Make Your Own Sundae," pinochle, noon.

Deadline for property tax rebate is Dec. 31 while LIHEAP started on Nov. 1.

SHAMOKIN - The holiday season kicks into high gear at 1 p.m. Saturday for the sixth annual Downtown Christmas event along Independence Street.

The event, presented by the Northumberland County Council for the Arts and Humanities, will bring together a number of holiday traditions, including the arrival of Santa Claus.

The highlight of the event is the Santa parade, which kicks off at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Towers and travels north on Market Street, onto Independence Street then disbands at the post office. Santa, Mrs. Claus and their two elves will then come to the second floor of the Fun Shop building to meet all the children.

Openings are still available to be part of the parade; contact Jeanne Shaffer at 570-850-9121 or at jeannes@ptd.net if interested.

The Shamokin Rotary Club will provide the sleigh for Santa to arrive and will have pictures available with "the jolly old elf" for a $3 suggested donation for those that can give. Visits will last until 4 p.m. and are sponsored by Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The Rotary sleigh and Santa will make various appearances from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 10 to 14 and Dec. 17 to 21. The News-Item will publish the schedule in a future article.

Added to the event this year will be a special showing of the movie "The Polar Express" at 7 p.m. at the Arts Center auditorium, Arch and Eighthstreets. Youngsters are encouraged to come in the pajamas with their teddy bears.

The movie is sponsored by the Shamokin Area Educational Association. Tickets are free and can be picked up from 12 to 4 p.m. in the Fun Shop building. The doors will open at 6 p.m.; tickets are required and will be punched upon entering the auditorium.

When attendees leave the movie, Santa Claus will present them a bell with a red ribbon attached, courtesy of Lourdes Regional School.

Preparations for the event begin Tuesday when TLC Tree Farm, of Hegins, will deliver 15 trees to the second floor of the Fun Shop building where a number of local business and community groups will decorate them.

Sponsors of this year's trees include the Shamokin Area Education Association, the Fun Shop, Salem United Church of Christ, Joshua Bressi Photography, The News-Item, Family Home Medical, two trees from Northwestern Academy, VNA Health System, VNA Caring Center, First United Methodist Church, AREA Services, Mountain View: A Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and M&T Bank.

One tree is still available for decoration and anyone interested in doing so can contact Shaffer.

During Saturday's event, the public will be able to cast their vote for the tree they like best at cost of 25 cents a vote. Ballots can be picked up inside the upstairs doors of the Fun Shop. There will be cash prizes awarded to the first and second place winners and all proceeds from the voting will benefit the Kallaway Center for the Arts and its children's programs.

Outside, a variety of attractions will be held, including horse-drawn white pumpkin carriage rides from 2 to 5 p.m. Rides, sponsored in part by Aqua Pennsylvania, are $5 each and tickets can be purchased inside the upstairs of the Fun Shop.

Roaming the streets will be the Kopitsky family singing Christmas carols in Victorian costumes from 2 to 4 p.m.

Tammy Tweed and Jenna Wasakoski will host the Tussy Mussy Flower Cart, compliments of Beverly's Flower Shop. The ladies will offer bouquets of holiday delight that can be purchased and given as a special gesture to any loved one. The cart will be located somewhere at the corner of 8th and Independence Street. Joining them will be various outside vendors selling their wares.

Items available for purchase include: Ginny Albert, handmade Christmas ornaments, jewelry and scarves; Shamokin High School Class of 2016, basket raffle; VNA Health Care, snacks and food; Rescue Fire Company, kettle bean soup; Joseph Zanella, fresh popped kettle corn and apple cider; Amber Amato, food truck with haluskie and pierogies; another Shamokin class, baked goods, hot dogs and hot chocolate, and Curt Martin, barbecue and drinks.

Inside the Fun Shop building, include Mary Heffner, autographing copies of her book "My Heart Can't Tell You No;" Lori Laniewski and Ted Yost, educational CD, "Spiders. Bats and Wolves, Oh My;" Amanda Stank, tutus, hair accessories, jewelry and novelties; Shelby Foulds, Paparazzi jewelry; Cyndee White, German paper stars, crocheted infinity scarves, cat toys and earrings; Leslie Lenig, country primitive crafts, framed prints and arrangements; Kathy Masser , traveling tacos, wedding soup, bottled water, soda and Relay for Life items; Lisa Wengrenovich, Scentsy wickes and candles; Virginia Munson and Lisa Zalar, chicken pot pie, pierogies, haluskie, rice pudding, stuffed cabbage soup and candy; Linda Zalar, homemade cookies, baked goods and fudge; Brandon Zalar, hand drawn caricatures, and NCCAH table, Victoria Theatre caps, F&S Beer shirts, Shamokin pictures and festival booklets.

The main fundraiser for a Downtown Christmas will be the selling of fresh waxed dipped Christmas wreaths with assorted greens. Available inside the Fun Shop building, the $20 cost includes a red, burgundy, gold or silver bow. Grave stands are also available for purchase.

Everyone is invited to come downtown Saturday and celebrate this new holiday tradition.

EAST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - A Coal Township man was in critical condition Monday after jumping from a moving vehicle following an argument with his girlfriend.

Trooper Brian Ronk from state police at Stonington said Christopher Powell, 25, was a passenger in a 2003 Buick Rendezvous driven by Jessica A. Long, 23, also of Coal Township. Ronk said Powell "exited the vehicle for unknown reasons" following the argument.

The incident occurred about 11:09 a.m. along Upper Road about three miles east of Gowen City.

Two small children were seen getting in and out of the SUV while state police interviewed Long and another woman who arrived at the scene and was visibly shaken. The vehicle was parked nearly sideways, the rear end still partially on the eastbound lane.

According to state police, Powell suffered a substantial head injury.

He was transported by an AREA Services ambulance to a field approximately a mile away, where he was taken by a MedEvac helicopter to Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

As of 9:45 p.m., Powell was listed in critical condition.

The investigation continues, Ronk said.

MOUNT CARMEL - The Mount Carmel Area Ministerium will conduct mid-week Advent services.

All community services will begin at 6 p.m. with soup and a sandwich followed by the service. The offerings of these services will be used to assist the poor and needy in the community.

The first service will be held Wednesday at the Holy Angels Church Activity Center in Kulpmont with the Rev. Andrew Stahmer and the Rev. Rose Marquardt "traveling the streets of Jerusalem."

Services will also be held Dec. 11 in the social hall of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Mount Carmel, with the Rev. Frank Karwacki and the Rev. Beverly Petrovich "traveling the streets of Nazareth," and on Dec. 18 in the basement of Grace Evangelical Independent Church, Locustdale, with the Rev. Rose Marquardt and the Rev. Richard Hazzard "traveling the streets of Bethlehem."

The season of Advent is a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. The theme for the services will be "Yet In Thy Dark Streets Shineth," a series written by Arden W. Mead.

The services include narratives about the atmosphere of the streets of ancient Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem, highlighting items of interest and their importance in terms of the coming of the Lord. Each "visit" takes place before a significant historical event had occurred.

"As onlookers, we stand at the rift between two worlds - the world before Christ stepped into history and the world of Jesus. We stand at the juncture of two worlds - that which is ours and the world that is yet to be," the Marquardt wrote in a press release.

"We will time travel through memory and prediction. The season of Advent calls us to a journey. We stand at a juncture here where we may look back to the past and what the Lord has done for his people there to make this present possible. We will also look to the future, to the time of fulfillment, when the Lord will come again. Advent is a time of increasing light. We will watch it begin to glow, even in these dark streets," she wrote.

The journey begins in the Kidron valley and continues up Zion's holy mountain to the City of the Lord, Jerusalem, and the story of Zechariah will be told. It will be followed by a "visit" to Nazareth and the home of Mary and Joseph. Lastly, a "trip" to Bethlehem

"Each visit was researched in light of archeological, scriptural, geographical and historical evidence," Marquardt wrote.

SUNBURY - A Northumberland County judge has upheld an arbitrator's ruling to reinstate a fired union county employee with back pay and seniority.

Judge Charles Saylor issued an order Nov. 15 denying a petition to vacate/modify an arbitration award granted to Dana Klokis, of Kulpmont, a former court cost and collection clerk in the prothonotary's office who was fired by Prothonotary Kathleen Strausser for insubordination Jan. 14, 2009.

Strausser filed the petition, claiming Klokis was rightfully discharged and that evidence of insubordination was not properly considered by the arbitrator.

By denying the petition, Saylor prevents another hearing in the drawn-out case in the Court of Common Pleas.

The order allows Klokis, who is currently employed but not with the county, to be reinstated with back pay and seniority if she desires. Von Treas, a staff representative for American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) District Council 86, said Klokis informed her that she is interested in regaining county employment.

Treas, who hasn't heard from any county officials since Saylor's order was issued, acknowledged that a complication exists in the case because Klokis' former position in the prothonotary's office no longer exists since court costs are now collected by the adult probation department.

She said if Klokis was hired in the adult probation department, she would be represented by the Teamsters union rather than AFSCME. If the court cost and collection clerk position is returned to the prothonotary's office, which recently-elected prothonotary Justin Dunkelberger has proposed, Klokis could be hired for that post and remain in the AFSCME union.

County human resources director Joseph Picarelli said he was unaware of Saylor's order and needed to review the case with the county's labor attorney Ben Pratt of York before rendering comment.

Attorney John Bielski, counsel for AFSCME District Council 86, said he was pleased with Saylor's order.

"I think it was the right conclusion based on the law," he said. "The county had a high standard and did not meet it."

Bielski said the county can appeal Saylor's ruling to Commonwealth Court within 30 days.

Due process

AFSCME filed a grievance a day after the termination on behalf of Klokis, claiming the firing violated terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the union and county. The case then proceeded to a hearing Aug. 24, 2010, before a labor arbitrator, who ruled Nov. 12, 2011, that Klokis should be reinstated to her former position with back pay and seniority.

In his ruling, arbitrator Lawrence Spilker said Klokis was denied essential elements of due process because she wasn't granted a meeting or hearing to address the allegations leveled against her. The arbitrator questioned the credibility of witnesses who provided testimony against Klokis and claimed they disliked her.

According to court documents, Spilker said the county's case was deficient in the elements of just cause and sustained the grievance.

Wiest appealed Spilker's ruling and Saylor entered an order vacating the arbitrator's award June 11, 2012. The union then appealed the judge's order to Commonwealth Court, which reversed Saylor's order and remanded the case back to the judge. Saylor was ordered to review the case again within the parameters set forth by Commonwealth Court.

During a Nov. 6 hearing before Saylor, Attorney Roger Wiest II of Sunbury, solicitor for the county prothonotary's office, argued that Saylor should conduct a hearing in the case, while Bielski said a hearing wasn't necessary because the arbitrator's ruling should be final.

COAL TOWNSHIP - The Shamokin Area Senior High choral ensembles will present their annual winter concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school auditorium. The public is invited to attend this free performance.

The concert will feature the high school chorale, chamber choir and chorus performing a variety of original music, as well as traditional and popular holiday favorites. Highlights include the spiritual "Go, Tell It On the Mountain," an original Hanukah arrangement titled "Hanerot Halalu" featuring Marielle Miller on clarinet and the Mariah Carey hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You," featuring soloist Corey Levi. Additional soloists for the concert include Katie Augustitus, Graeme Shappell, Adam Richardson and Dana Madl,

Chorale members are Katie Augustitus, Jackie Augustitus, Elizabeth Bednar, Jill Britton, Richard Brown, Logan Carpenter, Erin Cook, Heather Elliott, Caitlin Fellin, Nina Foulds, Amy Frasch, Tevin Gonzalez, Megan Goodrich, RJ Gurba, Brady Haupt, Corey Levi, Katie Madara, Dana Madl, Nick McWilliams, Marielle Miller, Leah Mirolli, Darian Paul, Danielle Polidario, Jessica Schleig, Graeme Shappell, Alyssa Shuey, Victoria Snyder, Cole Supsic and David Wolfe.

Chorus members include Amber Barnes, Alex Black, Alisha Black, Tara Blom, Alyssa Britton, Austin Britton, Samantha Carpenter, Chelsie Cossari, Jeannette Costa, Nicole Cullen, Zachary Druckenmillr, Thomas Eby, Alyssa Green, Jarred Jones, Kasandra Lisiewicz, Sarah Long, Samuel Marrone, Marcella Nahodil, Catie Pancher, Ashley Pennell, Adorabelle Quackenbush, Adam Richardson, Ashley Ripa, Melissa Rishel, Kevin Schank, Sara Snyder, Samantha Startzel, James Tinker, Sandy Tinley, Gabby Velez, Becca Wargo, Eric Weikel, Danielle Wilk and Jessica Wywadis.

The ensembles are under the direction of Mary Anne Stump. Piano accompanists are Bonny Klinger and Jill Britton. Percussionist is Caroline McSurdy.

SUNBURY - Dr. Raymond J. Kraynak Jr. was ordered to spend 30 days under house arrest and had his driver's license suspended for one year as part of his sentencing Monday morning on a driving under the influence of alcohol conviction.

The Mount Carmel physician and outgoing Mount Carmel Area School Board member was sentenced by Judge Charles Saylor to six months of intermediate punishment. Besides being placed on house arrest for the first 30 days, the sentencing includes a $1,000 fine, completion of a DUI education class, a requirement that he stay out of bars and an assortment of fees and costs.

Now that sentencing has been handed down, however, Kraynak's attorney Frederick Fanelli of Pottsville said his client plans to appeal his conviction to the state Superior Court within 30 days. Imposition of the sentencing will be deferred until the appeal is heard, and that can take months.

"I'm confident Dr. Kraynak will be vindicated on appeal," Fanelli said following the sentencing.

The 56-year-old Kraynak had no comment.

He was charged by Coal Township Patrolman Matthew Henrich with DUI following an incident at a May 26, 2012, sobriety checkpoint on Route 61 in Coal Township. Kraynak said he thought there had been an accident and stopped to render assistance. Police said he failed field sobriety tests and had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath. Police also said Kraynak's speech was slurred and his face was flushed.

Kraynak, who resided in Kulpmont at the time of the incident but now lives in Mount Carmel, refused to submit to chemical testing, a decision that warrants an automatic 12-month license suspension administered by PennDOT.

He was found guilty following a one-day bench trial before Saylor Aug. 30.

Northumberland County Assistant District Attorney Michael Toomey requested Saylor to give Kraynak a jail sentence instead of house arrest. Kraynak was facing a minimum of three days and maximum of six months jail time.

Toomey said, "In the interest of justice, I believe he should serve the maximum sentence."

But the judge said he had the discretion to give Kraynak jail time or house arrest since it was the defendant's first offense and that the maximum sentence for the charge is less than two years.

Toomey said Kraynak showed no remorse for his crime, while Fanelli said there was no accident and no one was hurt for which there would be remorse. Toomey said there could have been an accident, claiming Kraynak drove under the influence of alcohol from Kulpmont to the Shamokin area.

Fanelli said Kraynak is an active physician in the community who provides free medical care to the needy. He also cited his client's 20 years on the school board. "He has done a whole lot of good for the community and there's no purpose for him to be in jail for three days," the attorney said.

During a two-hour civil hearing Sept. 17, Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest dismissed an appeal filed by Kraynak involving an automatic 12-month suspension of his driver's license by PennDOT for his refusal to submit to a blood-alcohol test. If Saylor's sentencing is upheld, Kraynak would lose his license for another year.